Patricia Steffan, who worked in publishing and education, died on May 25 at Stony Brook University Hospital. The cause was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Known as Patsy, she was 84 and had lived in Bridgehampton and New York City.
After graduating from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., where she earned a degree in English literature with election to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, Ms. Steffan moved to New York City. She would live there for 60 of the next 63 years.
She worked at the Frick Collection but soon moved into publishing, initially at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and then as a freelancer. She was a researcher and writer, collaborating with professors to render technical information accessible to students.
She and Andrew Steffan, who survives, were married on Oct. 31, 1964. The couple had one child.
In her self-described “second career,” Ms. Steffan worked as an administrator at the Allen-Stevenson School, a private boys school in Manhattan. There, with fondness and patience, she helped corral students in their journey from boys to young men, her family said.
In retirement, she enthusiastically cultivated her own garden, studied garden design and history, and frequently visited famous gardens. She volunteered for many years with the Garden Conservancy and served on its board.
She traveled to more than 25 countries on six continents, her interest in photography leading her to take a series of landscape and horticultural photos while abroad. They could be seen throughout her residence.
A great believer in the education and advancement of women, Ms. Steffan supported scholarships at Smith College, and served as a member of the board of governors at the Colony Club in Manhattan.
Born in Philadelphia on Jan. 22, 1939, to Thomas Andrews and the former Patricia Vauclain, she grew up in Kingston, N.J., and attended Miss Fine’s School in Princeton, N.J.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years as well as her son, Alexander Steffan, her daughter-in-law, Nadine, and her grandchildren, Emma and Matthew, all of Quincy, Mass. A sister, Gail Crimmins of Newport, R.I., also survives.
A funeral was held last Thursday at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Bridgehampton, the Rev. James Erwin officiating. Ms. Steffan was cremated. Her family has suggested memorial gifts to St. Ann’s at P.O. Box 961, Bridgehampton 11932.
